We were planning to go to San Diego in January 2007 but are now thinking about a quieter place.

Would flying into Sacramento and driving up be a good thing. We'd drive back a day early to catch our flights out.

Any advice? Is it even a good idea to go there in January?

I just found this site a few days ago and I am astounded by the nice people here and the wealth of info!!!

THANKS AHEAD OF TIME!

Well, days are pretty short and likely to be pretty wet. The redwoods are lovely in the winter (IMO) but it's about as far from San Diego (geographically as well as climate-wise) as you can get in January.

I wouldn't fly into Sacramento if I were you; I'd fly into SF or Oakland instead; it's a much shorter drive.

Hi travellust, personally I wouldn't plan on going to Eureka in January. You would probably get a lot of rainy weather etc. I would hold off on that trip until later in the year. Also San Diego can have rain also. California is not 24/7 sunshine and fabulous weather. But you would have a better chance I believe of better weather in San Diego than in Eureka which is so much further north in California. Best regards.

The redwoods are terrific at any time - but Jan. is not the time to be traveling the north coast. Usually EXTREMELY wet, plus snow in the mountains.

(BTW - when you do finally go to Eureka - your idea of flying into Sacramento does make sense. SMF is right in I-5 north of teh city, so you can get out and north w/o fighting any urban traffic. Then at Redding you'd cut over on 299. Or you could take 36 from I-5 to Fortuna. But neither option is a winter time trip)

Boy I would never recommend SR 299, 36 or any other northern crossover road in December. SR 20 if anything, but even that is tedious x 10.

One thing that can be good that time of year is stormwatching - on the Lost Coast, or over the Oregon line up to Port Orford or so.

As a rainy weather fan, Eureka and surrounding areas in the rain would be pretty nice especailly if the "we" is just one loved one!

Why not fly into Eureka and rent a car? I think United has a non stop from Sacto that gets you there in about an hour.
You'd probably have the redwoods to yourself in Jan. Victorian Ferndale?

We drove up many years ago and stayed one night in Redding (You can't beat a steak at Jack's!). Drove over, as G'loo and jj said, Hwy 299 (beautiful!) and then came back to Sacto via Hwy 101 and cut over thru the Wine Co.
Good luck!
San Diego is still hard to beat. Stay on Coronado or up in LaJolla and you'll miss most of the hustle/bustle.

Gardyloo: "Boy I would never recommend SR 299, 36 or any other northern crossover road in December. SR 20 if anything, but even that is tedious x 10."

I totally agree w/ you - If you read my post I said I said ". . . but Jan. is not the time to be traveling the north coast.". What I meant was when they finally do get up to the Redwoods -- i.e. at another time of year. I would never (ever) drive 299/36 during stormy weather.

travellust: If you are set on going north in Jan., Kal's suggestion to fly makes a lot of sense.

Ferndale would be great - but also, this is the first year the Benbow Inn is staying open all year so you could stay in Garberville at the south end of the Avenue of the Giants. The Benbow is very special.

YOU ALL ARE A FEAST OF INFORMATION.
I am so glad that I found this forum, I'll never travel without it again!

Thanks again. The "we" is my daughter and I so the rainy thing, although it sounds wonderful, might not be the ticket............still pondering.

Hi travellust

I live just outside of Eureka and have been here in Humboldt County for 34 years. (Still not considered a local but that’s another story) If I was to pick a month that had the most rain, darkest and least inviting I would say January. This year (2006) in January you could not get into the county for a week or two because 299 was closed in two places due to slides. 101 south was closed at confusion hill due to slides 101 north was closed north of Klamath due to flooding and even 36 was closed due to snow. Yet we still get out and hike the beaches and forest and while it is not crowded we are not alone. If your choice is between San Diego and Eureka in January San Diego wins hands down. My pick for the best time up here is September and October If you do come up, fly but be aware that even the flights into ACV are often cancelled and you fly in on propeller aircraft not jets. (Yeehaa!) Kal and janisi have given you good advice. Mine would be to fly in rent a car go to the Benbow inn or a B&B in Trinidad visit Ferndale and hike the redwoods. At bull creek you might even see salmon in the feeder creeks.
Let me know if you want more information.

Have Fun
GP

Thanks GP,
Although, not in January, I have decided that your area is a definite destination sometime.